Edwards speaks from the heart

If a friend comes up to you and says, "Hey, girlfriend, it looks like you're getting a little heavy," don't be offended. "Women need to remind one another to watch out for the contributing factors of heart disease," said Gwendolyn Taylor Edwards, Norwalk resident and award-winning host and producer of "Our Lives," a weekly News Channel 12 talk show.

Edwards' work in raising awareness about the increased rates of heart disease in women, especially in African American and Hispanic women, will be recognized Saturday at "Fashion from the Heart." The event, which brings together fashion, theater and arts, begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Palace Theatre in Stamford. A fashion show, live musical performances and comedic skits, "get the message across in a fun way -- that we need to watch our weight and exercise," Edwards said.

"Heart disease is not on our radar," she told the Citizen in a recent telephone interview.

"We're terrified about getting cancer, especially breast cancer. But heart disease is the silent killer."

Heart disease is the number one killer of African American men and women over the age of 20. Rates of obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes are rising among children and adults.

"As a nation, we are getting heavier," Edwards said. "Even young girls have increased incidences of high cholesterol and diabetes and are at risk for heart disease." She has even seen more cases of diabetes in her own family and friends.

How can people change their sedentary habits and unhealthy diets?

"The first step is to bring it to more people's attention," Edwards said. "That's what the Our Lives show does. And then give them information."

The Fashion from the Heart Web site's "health and prevention" section recommends that women see their doctors regularly, quit smoking, eat healthy food and exercise.

"[Women] have to take it as serious and life changing. Eat more salad and fruit. Walk instead of sitting in front of the TV. You need to nudge your friends. `Are you taking care of yourself?' " Edwards said.

Women tend to put caring for others before caring for themselves. "Yet we are the lynch pins," she said, "If we become sick, we cannot nurture."

And by taking good care of themselves, mothers set good examples for their families.

"If you are snacking on chips and soda and watching TV, you are setting [an unhealthy] example," she said. Carrots and celery sticks, apples and grapes are simple, easy-to-prepare healthy snacks.

On Taylor's own dinner table there are plenty of vegetables and salad--and less meat. "We're a family that loves fish. We eat a lot of salmon," she said. Her children are grown and on their own. One son, who now lives in California, is a vegetarian. While he was growing up, Edwards struggled to get him to eat vegetables.

"I pushed and pushed," she said.

She applauds First Lady Michelle Obama for focusing on child obesity and starting a vegetable garden on the grounds of the White House. Taylor, who grows flowers and roses in her own garden, says she `Hits a lot of the farmers markets, in SoNo and New Canaan."

Edwards, who has more than 25 years of experience at broadcast stations in Connecticut, Tennessee and Kentucky, moved to Norwalk five years ago after her husband retired. They lived in Stamford the previous 15 years. Before IBM transferred her husband to Stamford, the Edwards lived in Kentucky, where they also grew vegetables.

"We didn't have a farm or anything," she said, "We grew tomatoes and peppers in a little plot."

Edwards was recently nominated for an Emmy in the category of on-camera talent-commentator/narrator.

She considers raising awareness about heart disease, "an obligation."

She commends the Fairfield County Chapter of Links, which co-sponsors "Fashion from the Heart" with Stamford Hospital, for also focusing on this issue.

Other local organizations, like the Norwalk Community Health Center, also educate people about health issues.

"And the local churches have health fairs, portable mammograms and blood pressure screenings," she said.

"We need to continue to push the issue until statistics begin to change."

"Fashion from the Heart" will take place from 8 -- 10 p.m. Saturday at the Palace Theater, 61 Atlantic St. in Stamford.

Tickets cost $20. Call (203) 504-8400 for information.